Page 89 - Massage Therapy School Program

8. Gently grab the soft tissue and squeeze in a downward direction toward the table. Start at C7 and work your way up the cervical area. Hold a few seconds at each spot. Squeeze ligamentum nuchae and pull down toward the table until the tissues soften. Instinctively most people know when they have a headache to squeeze the back of the neck; this technique is a way for the therapist to mimic that action.
9. After applying Prossage and massaging the posterior cervical muscles, apply Biofreeze® Pain Reliever to the treated area. The purpose of the Biofreeze application post massage is to reduce any remaining tenderness.
10. Apply cervical flexion until you feel any resistance. Hold for two seconds and repeat the motion three times.
11. Apply lateral cervical flexion until you feel any resistance. Hold for two seconds and repeat the motion three times.
12. Apply rotation movement until you feel any resistance. Hold for two seconds and repeat the motion three times.
13. Apply flexion at a 45 degree angle with the head rotated 90 degrees until you feel any resistance. Hold for two seconds and repeat the motion three times.
14. Have the client move toward the therapist to allow head to drop in cervical extension. Support clients head as they move their head off the table. If this motion causes any pain do not continue.
15. Rotate head to 90 degree angle then allow head to drop into cervical extension at a 45 degree angle. Again if this motion causes client to experience pain do not continue. Have client move back onto table and rest to finish treatment.
Cervical Contrast Treatment – Protocol
©March 2012, P05507, Rev. 0